Jack White, Jimmy Page latest to take pot-shots at Guitar Hero

It may be sad that this is the way kids are learning about music but at least they are learning about it. And just because the game cant actually teach you to play an instrument doesnt mean it isnt fun and you cant feel like a bad@ss while your doing it.

Jack White said that it's sad that kids are learning about music on guitar hero...not that the game itself is sad. Nice try at drumming up controversy in a headline, though.

I agree somewhat with Jack White, but that doesn't make Guitar Hero a bad game. There are pros and cons to consider for everything, and in some cases, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing; nonetheless, Guitar Hero is a bestselling video game; it serves its purpose well.

The White who?

The reality is kids aren't being exposed to music the way they should be, what with schools losing funding and single parent homes
or both parents working. The fact that artists think they are doing kids any justice by not being a part of those games is sad because some of those kids will only have that game, right or wrong.

...but the white stripes aren't on the list of bands, the raconteurs are. there are three other members and one other principal songwriter who have a vote in that band, so it may not have been 100% jack white's decision.

White stripes??? who they heck are they anyways?

So, um, what are you doing it for? I thought you types are "free to make our own decisions" & "won't let the suits tell us what to do". Actions speak louder than words.

If you don't know who the White Stripes are that's unfortunate, Jack White is or will be just as much a rock legend as Jimmy Page. I love gaming but guitar hero isn't an art and learning an art like music (can this even be argued) is much more rewarding that a new video game. So if given the choice between teaching kids guitar hero and actual guitar chords...I think that time would be better spent learning to play music.

These artists are just jealous that they aren't making any money. If they were making money, you wouldn't be hearing about this. Jimmy Page needs to shut up. Your days are over. The White Stripes were never good to begin with.

Don't throw stones when you want a fat check if he really didn't like it he wouldn't allow his music to be on the game

Jack White???? of White who???? I doubt...no I DOUBT that Mr. White will ever be thought of in the same class as Jimmy Page....plaaaeeese...Jimmy wipes his arse with Jack White.

Bookworm... are you high? Did you not read they've offered Zeppelin numerous lucrative deals for their music to be in the game? Jimmy Page has more than enough money to last him the rest of his life.

The only reason i buy any guitar hero is, i have always wanted to play guitar, but alas, im not musically inclined to put any sort of instrument in my hand,,,it does not, make me think im playing the real thing...i just love to play,,thats the only reason..but i do so love to play any guitar hero...its just something else to do with my hands...LOL

I have to agree with Jimmy in that these games do not TEACH how to play music, just like Tiger Woods 10,John Madden Football, MLB 2k9 do not teach kids how to play those sports. These are games and are meant to be fun. If kids want to learn to play an instrument they will pick one up and teach themselves or take lessons. Jennifer M. also makes a goood point in that when you lok at schools what areas are cut first?...Art, Music... that is what is really sad. Oh well,, have a good day anyway:)

I have to agree with Jimmy in that these games do not TEACH how to play music, just like Tiger Woods 10,John Madden Football, MLB 2k9 do not teach kids how to play those sports. These are games and are meant to be fun. If kids want to learn to play an instrument they will pick one up and teach themselves or take lessons. Jennifer M. also makes a goood point in that when you lok at schools what areas are cut first?...Art, Music... that is what is really sad. Oh well,, have a good day anyway:)

It does seem sad that kids do need games like Guitar Hero and Rockband to experience the music or to find classic ones.

I also find it SAD that kids learn about music/musical instruments these days by simply picking up a fake guitar and hitting a few colored buttons. If that makes people feel like a bad a%$, than I will hang up my strings now and no longer condone the state of the industry. I, as a musician, find it very disturbing that we are now reduced to this. Jimmy Page is very correct in everything he had to say about guitar hero and other similar games, but I think he was a little too nice about it. I find it a travesty that this game has brought the art of actually playing an instrument to a new all time low. Jimi Hendrix is rolling over in his grave as we speak.

Hey, if it exposes kids to rock MUSIC and keeps them from becoming brainless, talentless RAP DRONES, I'm all for it...Maybe if the game had been invented a few years earlier, the world could have been spared Kanye West...

As a musician I must say these games are nothing like the real thing.
All they help you with is hand and eye cordnation.
It's like listening to a juke box and playing a 2 year olds toy guitar pretending you can do something you can't.
Wanna feel music and actually have tallent, then spend 20 years playing and studying music and music theory. Don't pretend.

both guitar hero and rockband are shams if i've ever seen any. all my friends play and its just rediculous IMO on how they think its cool. i'd rather watch grass grow instead of play those stupid games..

Bookworm, you are an effing idiot. There isn't a rock band on this planet that didn't listen to Led Zeppelin growing up. Jimmy Page has more money than God. It's nice to see a band not cheapening themselves by selling out to corporate America.

It's a fact that people playing Rock Band and Guitar Hero are being introduced to music they also may not otherwise here. In addition to that they are getting interested in it and picking up ACTUAL instruments as well. Go to Guitar Center and ask them how many people have expressed interest in music as a result of both of those games. Regardless of HOW people are listening to music, the fact is they ARE listening to it. These two need to get off their pompous high horse.

and by "here" I meant "hear" oops.

it's a shame that some musicians are bad-mouthing these games. are they really so threatened by a video game? and like Carl T. said, tons of people are playing these games, and it's putting an interest in them to go out and play real instruments! i personally know several people who have taken up a new interest in learning guitar just because of these games.

it seems that some people are forgetting that guitar hero and rock band are just GAMES. NOBODY in their right mind thinks that they are learning music theory or how to play any real instrument by playing these games. anyone would have to be nuts to think that people really believe they are learning to play a musical instrument by playing guitar hero and rock band. it's a shame that some professional musicians seem to believe that nonsense and can't let their music be a part of a really fun game.

I think the generation growing up with these kinds of games can appreciate them differently. To them this is just another venu; it's not controversial. If they are inspired to pick up a real instrument they'll do it if not then they won't. Maybe it'll just be for fun. Remember air-guitar? There used to be competitions for that. This is a high tech versions.
I think if parents cam afford these games they could also afford to offer lessons in the real thing.

Jimmy Page has stated many times in the past that he doesn't want to release the master tapes to anybody. I can't say I blame him. I don't know any teenager where music isn't the epicenter of their world. It's a part of growing up. If you're truly inspired to learn music, pick up a guitar and some sheet music and learn it. As far as adults playing this game...I have nothing to say to that.....

it's funny to hear the old rockers bustin on git hero. It reminds me of my WWII parents bustin on me for listening to that "goddam loud screaming led zepplin.....that ain't music" they said. The irony is hilarious.I thinks it's kinda wierd myself. I play a little gituar for fun. I can't imagine myself doing githero, but if the kids want to do it.. that's cool let them have their fun..this is their time to be kids.

What a pointless story, bottom line, musicians would rather kids actually learn how to play instruments. Groundbreaking, way to go Mike Smith.

I play an instrument, yet I do not mind playing these games. Its just a way to have a good time with friends. As previously said, many kids decide to play instruments after playing these games. And not to knock Jack White or anything, but most White Stripes song are fairly basic when it comes to drums and guitar. So I expect the White Stripes song put on guitar hero to be on one of the easier levels.